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What’s Biting Around Charleston This Week: Inshore Reds, Offshore Mahi & More
Charleston Harbor - Charleston, SC
Inshore fishing around Charleston is heating up with the summer bite in full swing. Redfish are active around the grass lines and oyster beds, especially during early morning high tides. Anglers are finding success using live shrimp, cut mullet, and soft plastics. Speckled trout are holding in deeper holes and around creek mouths—topwater lures are working well at first light, with live bait producing throughout the day.
Nearshore, sheepshead are biting strong around jetties and pilings. Fiddler crabs are the go-to bait right now. Spanish mackerel and bluefish have been spotted blitzing bait pods just off the beaches—trolling spoons or casting flashy jigs is your best bet.
Offshore, the bite has been solid for dolphin (mahi-mahi), amberjack, and cobia. Weed lines and temperature breaks around 30–40 miles out are holding fish. Trolling ballyhoo and drifting live bait are both producing. Bottom fishing is yielding good catches of black sea bass and triggerfish, with some quality grouper in the mix as well.
Overall, conditions are excellent. Water temps are steady in the mid-70s, and weather windows have allowed for productive days on the water. Whether you're heading inshore or offshore, now is a great time to get out and fish Charleston’s waters.